Surely we’ve all done it. You are pulling out of a parking lot and turn too close to the curb and hit it; or you are parking and accelerate a tad too quickly and you slam straight into the parking curb. Some of you may have immediately got out of your vehicle to check your tires and wheels, while others just kept going about their day not thinking much of it. You’ll know if there is damage eventually!
While it is definitely inconvenient at times to stop and check things out, leaving your vehicle unattended can leave you with a hefty bill when things go south, and you may end up with a flat in the middle of the highway or worse, injure yourself or others.
How do you know for sure if your car has been damaged by hitting a curb? Some clues are more noticeable than others.
- The most obvious damage to the outside are tire, wheel, and rim damage; although you may have caused a tiny leak, which won’t produce an immediate flat tire. Check for damage and if you are unsure, take your vehicle in.
- The alignment is off. After you crunch into that curb, go to an empty parking lot and drive in a straight line. If you start to veer off, you need to get your car realigned.
- Similarly, pay close attention to your steering. Your vehicle’s tie rods connect the wheels to the steering wheel. If this aspect of your vehicle has been damaged by hitting or running over a curb, you may experience a wobbly or vibrating steering wheel, or it may seem loose as if you do not have full control over it. This is definitely not safe.
- Notice any changes in the smoothness of your ride. If the suspension has been damaged, you will feel the difference. You’ll be bumping around and going over speed bumps or potholes will not feel great.
Obviously the best thing to do would be to avoid curbs at all costs, as they can do some very unsuspecting damage; but things happen. If this does happen to you in the future, remember those four main parts of your vehicle to check out: tires/wheels/rims, alignment, steering, and suspension.
If your vehicle ever requires repair due to a curb crash, contact Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park, CA. They can help you with your paint or auto body repair needs.